We all want to be fit and healthy, although sometimes the stresses of modern-day life do make it seem hard sometimes.
But, truthfully, being fit and healthy is not as hard as all those magazines, fitness enthusiasts, and dieticians make it seem. Start with your lungs.
Your lungs are essential, you need them to breathe which is the most basic human function. You want to keep them healthy enough that lung cancer treatments are never something you need to worry about.
So… How do you keep your lungs healthy?
It’s All About Good Habits!
Honestly, it is all about good habits. Keeping your lungs healthy is not rocket science, and it never was, it’s just about keeping good habits, and in turn, it will benefit your whole body, not just your lungs!
Time to check out some habits that will help you!
#1. No Smoking/ Quit!
Most of us know that smoking is not good for your lungs, it is very harmful and damaging, and it increases your chances of lung cancer. However, smoking is linked to multiple diseases, such as asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and so on.
When you smoke a cigarette, you inhale tons of chemicals into your lungs, and not just nicotine, but carbon monoxide and tar as well! You wouldn’t drink tar… So, why would you smoke it?
Smoking ages your lungs as well and can irritate and inflame your lung tissues thanks to the increase in mucus.
So, if you are smoking, it is time to quit, if you are not smoking… Do not even think about giving in to temptation!
#2. Get Some Exercise
Exercise does more than just get you fit, shed fat, and grow muscle. Exercise makes you breathe harder… It works out your lungs too! Regular exercise is so important for keeping your body fit and healthy.
Your heart beats a little faster and your lungs work harder while you exercise. The oxygen you breathe in serves as the body’s fuel for your muscles.
If you do exercises, your breathing increases from 15 times per minute to 40 or 60.
So, want healthy lungs? Get to work out your lungs, and start doing some exercise, even a little is better than none!
#3. Avoid Pollutants
For some of us, this one may be easier said than done. If you live with a smoker, or if your work environment is with harsh toxic chemicals… it could be hard to avoid pollutants.
But, exposure to airborne pollutants can damage the lungs and speed up their age.
You should avoid secondhand smoke, exercise in the country, and not be around heavy traffic, and if you work around pollutants, take safety precautions… as many as physically possible.
Consider doing the following:
- Avoid synthetic air fresheners/ candles which could expose you to chemicals such as benzene or formaldehyde.
- Open windows to increase ventilation.
- Dust furniture and vacuum regularly.
- The home should be a smoke-free environment.
- Use natural cleaning products and open a window when you use products that let off fumes.
- Ensure you have enough fans, exhaust foods, and overall ventilation in your home.
- Clean your home, and get pet dander, dust, and mold out as they can irritate your lungs.
In some areas, mold in homes is very common and people do not realize the damage it can do. Call for mold remediation at the first sign of it, as it can cause illnesses that affect your overall health, not just your lungs. Damp is more dangerous than we tend to assume.
#4. Infection Prevention
We tend to just take everything in our stride, but we do not realize how dangerous things such as infections can be for our lungs! Those who have illnesses such as COPD are extremely at risk.
Even a healthy senior can develop pneumonia if they do not exercise.
Keep your hands clean, wash with warm, soapy water, try to avoid touching your face, stay hydrated, and eat good veg and fruit.
Finally, keep up to date with vaccinations and get your flu shot yearly.
#5. Practice Deep Breathing
Most of us take shallow breaths from our chest, which only uses a small part of our lungs. Practicing deep breathing helps to clear our lungs and takes in more oxygen.
If you are not a fan of exercise, try out deep breathing meditation practices to help work your lungs. Meditation can be calming, or in this respect calming, and a lung workout.
It can increase your capacity with 5 minutes of practice per day!
